8-K
Business First Bancshares, Inc. (BFST)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): July 17, 2020
BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Louisiana | 001-38447 | 20-5340628 |
|---|---|---|
| (State of incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| 500 Laurel Street , Suite 101<br><br> <br>Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 7080 1 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: **** (225) 248-7600
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
|---|---|---|
| Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share | BFST | NASDAQ Global Select Market |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☒
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
☒
| 5.0 2 | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
|---|
(d) On July 17, 2020, the boards of directors of Business First Bancshares, Inc. (“Business First”) and b1BANK appointed Keith Tillage to serve as a director of each of Business First and b1BANK.
Mr. Tillage is not a participant in any transaction that would be required to be reported under Rule 404(a) of Regulation S-K. The Board determined that Mr. Tillage is an independent director under applicable Nasdaq listing standards.
| Item 7 .01 | Regulation FD Disclosure. |
|---|
On July 21, 2020, the Company issued a press release, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, regarding the appointment of Mr. Tillage to the boards of directors of Business First and b1BANK.
The information contained herein and the exhibit attached herewith shall be deemed furnished and not filed.
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
|---|
(d) Exhibits
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: July 21, 2020
| Business First bancshares, inc. | |
|---|---|
| By: | /s/ David R. Melville, III |
| David R. Melville, III | |
| President and Chief Executive Officer |
ex_194686.htm
Exhibit 99.1
| 500 Laurel Street<br> Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70801<br> P: 225-248-7600<br> F: 225-248-7650 | |
|---|---|
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Misty Albrecht |
| --- | --- |
| July 21, 2020 | b1BANK<br><br> <br>225.286.7879<br><br> <br>Misty.Albrecht@b1BANK.com |
Business First Bancshares, Inc. Announces the Appointment of a New Board Member
Baton Rouge, La. – b1BANK President and CEO Jude Melville announced today the addition of Keith Tillage to the board of directors of b1BANK and its parent company Business First Bancshares, Inc (NASDAQ: BFST).
Tillage joins the board with over 20 years of experience in the commercial construction and construction management industries. As CEO of Tillage Construction, L.L.C., he has grown the company’s initial services to include construction and grant management across multiple states. In 2012, the company’s success resulted in Tillage’s appointment as one of 12 small business CEOs that consulted with President Obama on the Fiscal Cliff. Tillage Construction is one of the nation’s fastest growing, 100% minority owned construction companies, and has won several national awards and accolades including: Star Performer Award for their Dallas Love Field Modernization Project, Black Enterprise Small Business of the Year Finalist, Inc. 5000List designation, SBA Administrators Award for Excellence, and HUBZONE Small Business of the Year.
“Keith’s experience in commercial construction, knowledge of business development and dedication to community make him a significant addition to our board during this time of economic uncertainty,” said Melville. “Our board and I look forward to working with him as our organization continues to mature and develop.”
In addition to his experience in the commercial construction industry, Tillage has a background in system analytics and business consulting. His leadership abilities, dedication to his community and entrepreneurial spirit have earned him several awards including SBA Region 6 and Louisiana Minority Small Businessperson of the year.
“Community banks play an important role in small and minority business development and helping our local communities,” said Tillage. “I’m excited to be part of the b1BANK and Business First Bancshares boards and their continued efforts to support entrepreneurs during this unique time.”
Tillage has sat on the board of directors for Louisiana Minority Supply Diversity Council, YMCA, and the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. He is a former member of the US Black Chamber President’s Circle, and currently serves on the East Baton Rouge Parish Board of Appeals.
b1BANK.com
| 500 Laurel Street<br> Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70801<br> P: 225-248-7600<br> F: 225-248-7650 |
|---|
About Bu si ness First Bancshares, Inc.
Business First Bancshares, Inc., through its banking subsidiary b1BANK, formerly known as Business First Bank, operates 48 banking centers in markets across Louisiana and in the Dallas, Texas area. b1BANK provides commercial and personal banking, treasury management and wealth solutions services to small to midsize businesses and their owners and employees. Visit www.b1BANK.com for more information. Business First’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “BFST.”
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release may not be based on historical facts and may be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may be identified by reference to future period(s) or by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “foresee,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “would,” “could” or “intend,” future or conditional verb tenses, and variations or negatives of such terms.
All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to herein. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this press release, and neither Business First nor Pedestal undertake any obligation, and each specifically declines any obligation, to revise or update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
b1BANK.com